England CP squad named ahead of World Championships

Thursday 14 May 2015
England kick-off the tournament on 16 June

The 14 men to represent England at the 2015 Cerebral Palsy World Championships have been named.

The Three Lions will host the tournament, with all 48 games taking place at St. George’s Park between 16-28 June.

As well the honour of claiming the title of world champions, the tournament will also act as a qualifying mechanism for the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

England's fixtures

  • Japan (1pm, 16 June)
  • Iran (7pm, 18 June)
  • Ukraine (5pm, 20 June)

The draw for the 16-team tournament took place at St. George’s Park in March

England will play Japan, Iran and Ukraine in Group A. 

With the latter two ranked among the world's best, the Three Lions know they face a stern test if they are to progress.

In CP football players are categorised between five and eight, dependent on the severity of their impairment – with eight being the least affected, and five the most.

Tournament rules state that teams can have no more than one eight on the field at any one time, and must have a minimum of one five on the field at all times.

England head coach Keith Webb has named three eights, three fives and eight sixes among his squad.

What is CP football?

 

And after naming his 14, Webb said he is delighted with the group he is taking to the tournament.

"There were some tough decisions that had to be made, but any coach in a similar position will tell you the same thing," he told TheFA.com.

"I had a few sleepless nights as I worked through all the different combinations around the classifications in my mind.

"Now that I have my squad finalised I'm very happy with the group. It's a well-rounded squad that gives me plenty of options.

"I was conscious of making sure I had enough with tournament experience – as that can be very important during a three-week competition."

"I've definitely got that in this group, but at the same time there's also a good number of young players in there too. 

CP_Draw_2

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink helped pick the teams at the draw

"I'm very happy and excited for the tournament to begin."

England kick-off their campaign – and the tournament – against Japan at 1pm on 16 June.

They then take on Iran at 7pm on 18 June, before completing the group stage with a fixture against Ukraine at 5pm on 20 June.

The top two teams from each group progress to the knockout stages, which get under way on 23 June.

The final will be played at 3pm on 28 June.

England CP squad for 2015 World Championships

1. Giles Moore
2. Harry Baker
3. Karl Townshend
4. Matt Crossen
5. Jack Rutter (captain)
6. Martin Sinclair
7. Michael Barker
8. James Blackwell
9. George Fletcher
10. Ibs Diallo
11. Ollie Nugent
12. Jake Brown
13. Ryan Kay
14. Emyle Rudder

For more information about the 2015 Cerebral Palsy World Championship please visit the official tournament website by clicking here.

Tickets are on sale now and are available to purchase for single games or in match bundles. Click here for more information.

By Jamie Reid Senior Writer